Orlando Magic Fantasy Basketball Season Preview

The trading of Oladipo and the sudden resignation of Scott Skiles messed with Orlando during the offseason.

The franchise is itching for a return to their former glory in the midst of a weak Eastern Conference. With nothing but a strong young core and a new veteran coach, Orlando is expecting an eruption in their game and hope to make playoffs for the first time since 2012.

The high expectations of players such as Gordan and Payton are going to define the season. As long as their development progresses, the Magic future looks just fine. Serge Ibaka brings much-needed defense to Orlando and can immensely help the younger big men with their defensive development. Orlando should be hot pickings for sleeper picks in drafts and waiver wires for the 2016-17 season.

Position Battles

Starting Center: Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyambo

Vucevic has been Orlando's go-to center since the end of the Dwightmare, but the arrival of Toronto's father Biyambo proposes a potentially interesting battle for minutes. Vucevic has been a reliable big man averaging 18.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. However, Biyambo's impressive playoff run including a 26 rebound game qualify him to get some decent minutes in Orlando. It is likely Vucevic will remain the starter for now making him much more valuable than Biyambo, but Biyambo remains a great sleeper pick in your draft should he have a breakout year.

Rise in Value

Mario Hezonja

The Magic didn't quite unleash their 2015 first round pick last year. Playing for only 18 minutes a game he only averaged 6.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. It will take the young Croatian time to develop the endurance and mentality the NBA requires. Hezonja's second year with Frank Vogel looks promising for that initial jump he will need to make. Hezonja could be a well-timed steal in the later rounds of your draft.

Aaron Gordon

Gordon has shown nothing but a high ceiling with his excellent rebounding and dunking skills. His robbed dunk contest title is lingering inside of him, and he is preparing to break out and show the world his full set of skills. Last year his minutes per game took a huge jump from 17 to 34 minutes per game. If that trend continues, Gordon will be a dominant forward in the league and great pick in the middle rounds of any draft.

Player Summaries

Elfrid Payton
In 2015, Payton became the first rookie since 1997 to chalk up back to back triple doubles. Since then, Payton has been flying a little under the radar averaging around 10 points per game and 6.5 assists. He is going to need to have a great year to prove his value to the Magic this year, and this makes him a great sleeper pick.

Serge Ibaka Overrated
Ibaka has been falling in all stats in the league for some time now. Points per game, blocks, and rebounds have constantly been decreasing since about 2014. The trade to Orlando won't change his game; he is still failing in skill. Not even worth a pick for your block category early in your draft.

Aaron Gordan
After being robbed in the dunk contest, Gordon is determined to explode this season. With his great athletic development since being drafted and heavily anticipated role in Frank Vogel's Magic roster, 2016 is looking to be the perfect time for Gordan to assume a full-time Power Forward role on the roster. Gordan cannot slip through your fantasy hands, keep him in mind during any draft for scoring and rebounding.

Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves for being a reliable center for Orlando after Dwight Howard left. Before his knee contusion in 2015, he was averaging 19.3 points, and 10.9 rebounds a game and has been increasing his assist numbers steadily since 2011. Vucevic is back, primed, and healthy, making him a safe grab in any fantasy league